Ukraine Launches Massive Long-Range Strikes as Russia Hits Civilians

On July 25, 2026, Volodymyr Zelenskyy coordinated a series of large-scale long-range drone strikes targeting Russian strategic infrastructure. Ukrainian forces hit the Engels-2 nuclear missile base in the Saratov region, oil refineries in Tyumen and Ulyanovsk, and the Sheskharis oil terminal on the Black Sea. Zelenskyy also announced strikes on a projectiles plant in Kirov and cargo vessels in the Caspian Sea—specifically the Port Olya 2 and Begey—which he stated are used for military shipments involving Iran.

Russia responded with aerial assaults across Ukraine. A missile strike in the Bucha district of the Kyiv region killed 10 people at a military training ground, and drone attacks in the Sumy region killed three employees of the courier service Nova Poshta. Additionally, Russian-installed officials reported an attack on holiday camps in Kyrylivka, Zaporizhzhia region, that killed 11 people, including four children.

Zelenskyy warned that intelligence indicates Vladimir Putin is preparing a significant new mobilization draft for the autumn to support an expanded offensive. Meanwhile, the Russian Defense Ministry claimed to have intercepted 328 Ukrainian drones, while the Ukrainian Air Force reported downing 128 of 157 Russian targets. In a related escalation, Romania used an F-16 fighter jet to shoot down a drone near Sfantu Gheorghe in the Danube Delta.